Confidence is the key to almost everything in our lives—making friends in a new city, landing an ideal job, even finding a partner to spend time with, but how can one be confident when they are too afraid to even open their mouth? We know you have so many brilliant ideas to share so let’s fix that one thing holding you back: bad breath.
1. Make It Routine: Brush, Floss, and Mouthwash
When you ask how to prevent bad breath the obvious first move is to commit to brushing and flossing your teeth at least twice a day. But, we suggest you take it a step farther and add a swig of mouthwash to your morning and evening routine. All three of these things help to clear your mouth of unwanted food bits and bacteria that not only cause bad breath, but also could potentially cause bigger and more expensive dental problems in your future. Be sure to remember to give your tongue a quick brush too as it is likely a key player in the bad breath game.
2. Stay Hydrated
Drinking enough water throughout the day helps every single part of your body. A dry mouth allows for bacteria to grow and remnants of food to sit stagnant. It is recommended that we drink 3-4 liters of water per day depending on personal factors. Get sipping!
3. Avoid the Wrong Foods
What we choose to eat and drink affects our bodies in ways we aren’t always able to see or feel. Cutting back on substances such as alcohol, tobacco, coffee, garlic, onions, and some dairy can quickly help you avoid unpleasant breath. If you do choose to indulge, consider rinsing your mouth with a bit of mouthwash after or, if you can, brush your teeth. Eating foods with higher water content (think celery, melons, berries) also helps to rinse out your mouth and wipe out bacteria. Other foods that prevent bad breath are parsley, nuts, fruits and green tea.
4. Reduce Sugar Intake
We hate to sound like your mom when you were in elementary school, but sugar essentially fuels the bacteria that cause the foul odor on your breath. Choose seltzer water instead of a soda or pick out a sugar-free gum. Bonus: this gum works double time for you as it also increases the amount of saliva in your mouth which limits the growth of smelly bacteria. We suggest ditching the mints as they really only mask the smell and are normally loaded with the sugar you are looking to avoid.
5. Invest in a New Toothbrush
The toothbrush you use daily is one of the most important factors in combating sour breath. We suggest using an electric toothbrush instead of a manual and taking care to replace the brush head about every 12 weeks. This helps to keep the bristles cleaning the way they are designed to and actively intact.
Visit Comfort Dental Care of Brookline
Routine visits to your local dental experts can help you stay on track in terms of your dental health and hygiene. Not only do these visits help you to avoid cavities, stop tooth loss and whiten your smile, we are also able to help you combat bad breath by removing built-up bacteria and polishing your teeth.
Get your confidence back—book your bi-annual appointment today and, in the meantime, get moving on some of these tips and tricks to help prevent bad breath.